Chương 39: Virelia

Felicity, Leah and Xia finally arrived at the gates of Virelia. The capital rose before them, immense and overwhelming. The great white walls towered like an insurmountable barrier, and from their heights came a constant murmur: voices, shouts, merchants hawking their wares, calls echoing through the air, the sound of a city that never slept. Virelia was home to nearly a million inhabitants and it seemed as though all of them were gathered before the entrance.

A massive blue gate, adorned with precious gemstones of every color, dominated the approach. In front of it stretched an endless line of people: merchants, traders and travelers from every corner of the world. Leah looked at the queue skeptically.

"We're not actually going to stand in line, are we?" Xia did not answer immediately. She simply raised a hand and created a black portal.

"Of course not". The three stepped through it and in the blink of an eye, they found themselves in the heart of Virelia. The city swallowed them instantly. Crowded streets, market stalls packed tightly together, the smells of spices, sweat, and metal. People of every race and origin moved without order, bumping into one another, arguing, bargaining. Felicity took it all in carefully, her hands close to her swords.

"It really is as chaotic as you said". The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Unfortunately, yes", Xia replied.

"It hasn't changed at all". Suddenly, something bumped into them from behind. Leah turned just in time to hear the strap of her pouch being cut. A young boy darted away, clutching his prize.

"Hey, you little bastard!" Leah shouted, immediately taking off after him. Felicity sighed and rushed after her. The boy was incredibly fast. He weaved through merchants, slipped through the crowd and vaulted over makeshift obstacles. Leah, charging after him, slammed into a vendor and knocked a basket of apples to the ground.

"Hey!" the man protested, trying to stop her. Leah dodged him and kept running.

"You'll never catch me!" the boy shouted, turning back with a taunting grin.

"If I catch you, you little bastard…" Leah growled, already running out of breath. The boy vaulted over a small gate, climbed onto a stack of crates and cleared another fence. Leah followed, growing more exhausted with every step. When she finally made it over the last obstacle, she stopped dead in her tracks. The boy was on his knees, his hands raised. Standing before him was Felicity, her sword pointed straight at his throat.

"How did you do that?" Leah asked, astonished.

"Can you teleport?" Felicity shot her a sideways glance.

"You're both just very slow". Then she turned her attention back to the boy.

"Come on. Give the pouch back or I'll cut your throat". The boy swallowed hard and tossed the pouch toward Leah. Before they could do anything else, the sound of hooves and armor rang out behind them. Three mounted soldiers came to a stop in front of them.

"What's going on here?" one of them asked. The boy immediately jumped to his feet.

"These women tried to rob me and then tried to kill me!"

"You lying piece of shit", Felicity snapped.

"He's the one who robbed us". The soldier studied the trembling boy, then shifted his gaze to Felicity and her swords.

"Perhaps it would be better to let the King himself decide". Two more soldiers approached.

"Your swords, miss. Now". Felicity hesitated for a moment before handing over both blades. The soldiers bound her wrists with tight ropes, did the same to Leah, and began escorting them toward the royal palace. Leah looked around, searching frantically.

"Where's Xia?" Felicity clenched her teeth.

"I don't know". And Virelia, indifferent to their fate, continued to live and breathe all around them.